Financed by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Municipal Environmental and Economic Governance (MEG) Project is a 12-year intervention in the domain of local governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Project’s overall goal is defined as follows: Local governments (LGs), assigned with appropriate competences and finances, have improved their democratic governance, apply sound public policy and performance management systems, and provide public services in an inclusive, effective and efficient manner, particularly those related to economic and environmental sectors.
The expected concrete improvements the Project will contribute to are clustered in three outcomes, as follows:

Outcome 1: Supported local governments apply effective development management systems characterized by stronger oversight of the legislative and greater accountability towards the citizens.
Outcome 2: Citizens and businesses in target localities benefit from good quality services provided by LGs in the economic and environmental sectors.
Outcome 3: Improved regulatory framework at higher and local government levels.
The Project’s territorial focus is on the North-West part of the country (including Una-Sana Canton and Prijedor region) and the North-East region (the wider Doboj-Tuzla area), covering 18 partner LGs: Bihac, Bosanska Krupa, Cazin, Doboj, Gracanica, Gradacac, Gradiška, Kalesija, Kostajnica, Kozarska Dubica, Prijedor, Prnjavor, Sanski Most, Tešanj, Teslic, Tuzla, Velika Kladuša and Žepce.
The Project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), the FBiH Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, the Ministry for Administration and Local Self-Government of Republika Srpska (RS), the RS Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and both entity Associations of Municipalities and Cities (AMCs).
The MEG Project is supporting its partner local governments (municipal councils and administrations) to establish sound public policy and management systems through improved structures, regulatory frameworks, capacities and attitudes by municipal employees and elected officials. This entails reform-type of efforts by municipal leaderships and employees, towards more effective and citizen-centred municipal governance and service delivery.
Sound performance management systems implying excelling technical and political performance will be awarded through financial resources, in accordance with the Project developed Performance-based Financial Assistance (PbFA) Methodology, for realization of local priorities in environmental and economic sectors. Such performance-based financial assistance will serve as an incentive for partner local governments and will ultimately reward both the political leaderships for successfully rooting challenging and sensitive reforms, as well as the administrative performance of municipal staff.
This approach should enable effective realization of local development strategies, transformation of local governments into development-conducive, cost-efficient, effective, and people-centred governance service providers. This concept intends to be the springboard of effective, inclusive, and accountable public policy management system to be introduced within the Project’s partner local governments.
The purpose of the Progress Performance Evaluation is to provide an impartial view of the MEG partner LGs’ progress achieved in period from 31 March 2018 to 31 March 2019, based on the Performance-based Financial Assistance Methodology cycle II (hereafter the Methodology) and 27 performance indicators clearly defined in it. The evaluation will assess the current state of affairs and the corresponding means of verification, when it comes to the 27 performance indicators and compare it with the baseline evaluation results in accordance with the formulas set in the Methodology. The results of the evaluation will provide grounds for the financial assistance to MEG partner LGs that is planned to be implemented in 2019.
Specifically, the Progress Performance Evaluation is intended to objectively assess the LGs commitment to reform and sustainable improvement of their performance, through evaluation of the performance progress made over the referenced 12-month period. This will be done by performing an evidence-based assessment of the relevant LGs’ means of verification, and by capturing the achieved improvement of the 27 performance indicator scores in accordance with the Methodology. Based on the evaluation results, each LG will have access to different amount of funds for co-financing of the priority infrastructure projects.
For this purpose, one National Lead Consultant for the LG Performance Evaluation (hereafter the Lead Consultant) covering following partner LGs of North-East Cluster: Doboj, Kalesija, Gracanica, Gradacac, Prnjavor, Teslic, Tešanj, Tuzla and Žepce, will be recruited. In addition, for the overall task, one National Consultant for the LG Performance Evaluation (hereafter the Consultant) covering following partner LGs of North-West Cluster: Bihac, Bosanska Krupa, Cazin, Gradiška, Kostajnica, Kozarska Dubica, Prijedor, Sanski Most and Velika Kladuša, will be recruited.

Duties and Responsibilities

Performance-based Financial Assistance Methodology for financial support to local governments within the MEG Project is a mechanism for awarding financial assistance (aimed at co-financing priority projects in the environmental and economic sectors) to partner local governments based on their performance results. Thus, the performance-based granting is designed to condition partner local governments’ access to financial support with sound, tangible and measurable performance results, as well as to stimulate partners to strive towards more effective policy management and service delivery. The innovative feature behind this mechanism is that it creates linkages between a partner local government performance and grant funds that a local government will eventually receive, conditioned on their progress performance.
In all cases, financial support to partner LGs under the performance-based grant methodology will be exclusively used for realisation of capital investment priorities originating from official local development strategies, in the economic and environmental sectors.

Assessment methodology and performance indicators
The assessment methodology for performance-based financial assistance is based on several main parameters that allow measuring progress achieved by LGs during the 12-month period.
The assessment methodology is engineered around the following main parameters:

Governance areas in focus;
Performance indicators;
Measurement scale;
Score;
Indicator’s weight, and
Source of data.
Each of these is further explained and presented in detail within the Performance-management assessment matrix which is integral part of the PbFA Methodology, available by copying the following link to your web browser:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yS8BktIsuirxqbKeoPddq_1DkaLZy_yP?usp=sharing.

The Methodology focuses on 4 specific governance areas: 1) development management and municipal employees’ performance; 2) accountability and participatory decision-making; 3) water governance and 4) economic governance.
Progress in each of the governance areas will be tracked based on performance indicators. Specifically, there are between six and eight indicators within each focus area, comprising a set of 27 indicators in total.
Subsequently, for each indicator there is a measuring scale ranging from 0 to maximum 3, detailing possible achievements based on which progress will be measured. Depending on the result achieved by the local government against the measuring scale, a relevant score will be assigned, also based on the 0 – 3 scale, where the result of “0” indicates that no/limited progress against the relevant indicator is in place, while “3” is the desired progress and state of play.
The PbFA Methodology also envisages defining concrete and tangible sources of data, which will serve as the means of verification when conducting the performance evaluation. To the maximum extent possible, the methodology seeks to ensure the use of formal and publicly available documentation, statistics and avoiding parallel data collection systems.

Methodology of work
The proposed methodology of work consists from the following:

Preliminary desk review;
Meetings with MEG Project team, followed by field visits to nine (9) LGs of the North-East Cluster (as referenced above);
Further on-line contact with LGs and team management, and
The Final Report write-up for 18 partner LGs.
The Final Report should consist of the quantitative part, containing the evidence-based evaluation results summary, and individual results for each of the 18 LGs - clearly referencing individual scores for each of the 27 performance indicators and providing links to relevant means of verification.
The Lead Consultant will directly supervise the National Consultant for LG Performance Evaluation, and MEG Project Team will provide full logistical support during the consultancy.
More specifically, the Lead Consultant will have the following tasks:

Task 1 – Desk review
Following the initial meetings with the MEG Project Team, the Lead Consultant will get him/herself familiar with the MEG Performance-based Financial Assistance (PbFA) Methodology - Cycle II, and the results of the baseline evaluation performed in 18 MEG partner LGs in March 2018. The Lead Consultant will submit the proposed work-plan and the proposed structure of the LG Progress Evaluation Report for review and approval. The workplan and the evaluation report will include evaluation of all 18 partner LGs.
The Lead Consultant will receive inputs from the Consultant who will be directly responsible for the evaluation of results of the nine LGs of the North-West Cluster.
The Lead Consultant will directly manage and supervise the work of the Consultant.
It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by March 1, 2019 and the level of effort will not exceed 4 expert days.

Task 2 – Field Visits to nine LGs
Upon the approval of the work plan and the structure of the LG Progress Evaluation Report by the MEG Project Team, the Lead Consultant is expected to carry out the LG Progress Evaluation based on the approved work-plan. The MEG Project Team will provide support to the Lead Consultant in organization of the meetings and collection of the relevant means of verification. Depending on the availability, the Lead Consultant may be accompanied by the Project Team in the field visits to nine LGs of the North-East Cluster. The field visits will enable completion of the required set of the relevant means of verification and hence facilitate timely and successful completion of the LG Progress Evaluation Report. The means of verification that, from rational reasons, cannot be presented and submitted by LGs during the evaluation field may be sent (and accepted) via email until the date agreed with the Lead Consultant. However, the date should not be set later than the end of March 2019.
It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by March 30, 2019 and the level of effort will not exceed 6 expert days.

Task 3 – Team Management
As outlined above, for the overall task, one National Lead Consultant for the LG Performance Evaluation (the Lead Consultant) directly covering the LGs of North-East Cluster (Tuzla, Prnjavor, Teslic, Tesanj, Kalesija, Doboj, Zepce, Gracanica and Gradacac), and one National Consultant for the LG Performance Evaluation (the Consultant) covering the LGs of North-West Cluster (Sanski Most, Velika Kladusa, Bosanska Krupa, Kostajnica, Cazin, Dubica, Prijedor, Gradiska and Bihac), will be recruited.
The Lead Consultant will be responsible for team management and will provide direct supervision and guidance to the Consultant.
It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by April 10, 2019 and the level of effort will not exceed 2 expert days.

Task 4 – LG Progress Evaluation Report
The draft Progress Evaluation Report will be submitted by the Lead Consultant to the Project Team for initial review. A briefing session between the team of consultants and MEG Project Team will be organized, to present the preliminary evaluation results and recommendations of the LG Progress Evaluation Report.
Based on the approved structure of the LG Progress Evaluation Report, and inputs received from the Project Team, the Lead Consultant will finalize and submit the overall LG Progress Evaluation Report for all 18 partner LGs.
The Consultant will, under the guidance of the Lead Consultant, prepare and provide inputs, evaluation results, recommendations and relevant means of verification for the Progress Evaluation Report for the nine LGs of the North-West Cluster. However, the final Progress Evaluation Report will be direct responsibility of the Lead Consultant and indirect responsibility of the Consultant.
It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by April 10, 2019 and the level of effort will not exceed 5 expert days.

Deliverables/outputs

# Deliverables / outputs # of days per task Due date Percentage

1. Task 1 – Desk review

Participated in the initial meetings with the Project Team.
Demonstrated full understanding of the MEG Performance-based Financial Assistance Methodology, and the results of the baseline evaluation performed in 18 MEG partner LGs against 27 performance indicators in March 2018.
Prepared and submitted proposed work-plan and proposed structure of the LG Progress Evaluation Report for review and approval, up to 4 days; March 1 2019; 24%;
2. Task 2 – Field Visits to nine LGs

Led field-visits to nine LGs of the North-East Cluster, obtained the required set of relevant means of verification and facilitated timely and successful completion of the LG Progress Evaluation Report;
Jointly with the Consultant for North-West Cluster, conducted LG progress evaluation and data analysis based on the approved work-plan for 18 LGs, up to 6 days, March 30, 2019; 35%;
3. Task 3 – Team Management

Submitted the draft Progress Evaluation Report to the Project Team for initial review.
Participated in a briefing session that will be organized with the MEG Project Team, so as to present the preliminary evaluation results and recommendations of the LG Progress Evaluation Report.
Finalized the LG Progress Evaluation Report, taking into account MEG team feedback, in both English and in languages of peoples in BiH for 18 LGs, up to 5 days; April 10, 2019; 29%.

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time.
Strives for and promotes excellence in performance continually;
Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others.
People Skills:

Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others;
Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, and adaptation to a change process.
Results-Orientation:

Plans and procedures quality results to meet established goals.
Communication:

Formulates written information clearly and persuasively;
Shares information openly with co-workers and partners while using discretion to protect confidences;
Strong communication skills;
Presents information in a clear and articulate manner.
Job Knowledge and Expertise:

Sound knowledge of the M&E,
Proven expertise in results-based management systems,
Proven expertise in results-based management systems evaluation methodologies in the area of local governance;
Strong analytical skills;
Strong presentation skills;
Strong leadership skills;
Advanced writing skills,
Strong facilitation and coordination skills;
Executes day-to-day tasks systematically and efficiently;
Initiative and sound judgment;
General understanding and familiarity with the local administration, budget and finance and strategic development terminology will be considered an asset.

O zaposleniku

Znanja i kvalifikacije:

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education

Advanced university degree in economics, social science, policy, public administration or related field.

Experience

At least 5 years of participatory evaluation expertise and experience, where evaluations in the area of local governance and economic development in BiH are considered to be an asset;
Previous experience in UNDP projects evaluation will be considered as an asset.
Languages Requirements

Fluency in official Bosnia and Herzegovina languages and English language.

Evaluation

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Financial proposal
Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references
Completed and signed the Offeror’s template Confirming Interest and Availability (please follow the link: https://popp.undp.org/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/UNDP_POPP_DOCUMENT_LIBRARY/Public/PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx&action=default);
Financial proposal which will separately specify professional fee, indicating number of anticipated working days, travel costs (air-ticket or use of private vehicle), living allowance, and all other applicable costs.

Please scan all above mentioned documents and upload as one attachment only online through this website.

Note:

For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 65 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy.
Due to large number of potential applicants, only competitively selected candidates will be contacted for remaining steps of the service procurement process.
Shortlisting/ Qualification Criteria
Criteria Points

Relevant Education (advanced university degree in economics, social science, policy, public administration or related field) max 10 points (6 points allocated for BA/BSc degree; + 2 points for MSc/MA; + up to 2 points for PhD);
Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience Max 15 points;
Knowledge of English and official languages of BiH max 5 points.

Criteria Weight Max. Point
Technical

Participatory evaluation expertise and experience, where evaluations in the area of local governance and economic development in BiH are considered to be an asset 30% 30;
Proven expertise in results-based management systems (RBMS) and RBMS evaluation methodologies in the area of local governance; 20% 20;
Sound knowledge of the M&E 20% 20.